An ideal breast lift aims at natural and proportionate body contours. The breasts should aesthetically match the body anatomy and the desires of the patient. This can be achieved with meticulous and careful incisions by the cosmetic surgeon.

You can expect the following changes after a breast lift intervention:

• Readjustment of the position of the breasts
• Correct the droopy look of the breasts
• Position the breasts higher up at the chest, pointing upwards
• Correct the position of nipples and areolas, making the nipples perkier
• Boost the self-confidence of the patient and make her look younger

To determine if you are the right candidate for breast lift, following are the most preferable conditions:

• An overall good health
• Non-Smoker (Smoking affects the ability to heal)
• Not pregnant or not planning a family soon
• Not breast feeding
• Realistic expectations from the surgery

Breast lift and Pregnancy

Breast lift isn’t for everyone and it is advisable to hold the procedure till you are free from delivery and breast feeding. During pregnancy the breast stretches and the desired results cannot be retained. Also, the production of the milk is hampered in case of breast lift. Hence it is better to wait for the breast lift surgery till the phases of breast feed and pregnancy are gone.

Following are a few symptoms to watch for to understand if you need a breast lift:

• Nipples and areolas point downwards or are positioned low on the breasts, falling below the breast creases
• Factors like age, gravity, sudden or excessive weight loss have loosened the firmness of breasts
• Mastectomy done earlier calls for breast alignment
• Tubular, downward sloping and elongated breasts
• Asymmetrical breasts
• Areolae stretched out of proportion of breasts

These changes can easily be catered to in a breast lift surgery making you look smarter with an erect body posture and firmly pointed breasts.

Risks are very unlikely if the surgery is done by an adroit surgeon. However, one must be careful of the following minor complications:

• Bleeding
• Infection, if any
• Minor Scarring
• Loss of sensation in nipples
• Anesthesia side-effects
• Blood clots
• Thick or painful scars

Check for the credentials and efficiency of the surgeon before getting the surgery done. Any surgeon who has expertise and experience keeps patient safety at prior importance and makes sure the risks are minimal.

Breast lift is not one-size-fits-all procedure. There are majorly four types of breast surgeries which determine the position and the length of the incision and scars. An in-depth consultation with the surgeon, lift of the volume desired, results of evaluation of anatomy, the existing position of nipples and areola and the skin elasticity are the factors which determine the type of surgery needed.

The length and of incisions and scars will be at different placesin each surgery but none of them will be prominently visible. Following are the types of breast lift interventions:

i. Anchor Breast Lift

This surgery allows the correction of the most extreme sagging and droopy breasts. The breast is reshaped after removal of excessive fat and tissues. The incision is placed in the shape of an anchor, hence the name. This is also known as ‘inverted-T lift’ and gives a dramatic reshape to sagging breasts. Three incisions are made which are as follows:

• Horizontal incision around the breast crease
• Vertical incision running from the bottom of the areola to the inframammary fold
• Incision is also made around the outer edge of the areola

The cut looks like an anchor and excessive fat is removed to give firm and well-positioned breasts.

ii. Lollipop Breast Lift

Women with moderate breast sagging are recommended the vertical breast lift, also known as Vertical Mastopexy. This follows moderate to large correction of sagging. The shape of the incision resembles that of a lollipop. Following two incisions are made:

• Circular incision around the outside edge of the areola
• Vertical incision made from the bottom of the areola down to the natural breast crease (inframammary fold)

This surgery enables a great extent of lifting to correct majorly drooping breasts.

iii. Doughnut breast Lift

This is also termed as Peri-Areolar breast lift. Women with milder sagging who can be benefitted from subtle lifting are suggested this lift. The surgeon makes one circular incision around the outer edge of the areola. A doughnut shaped tissue is removed from around the breast areola and the remaining tissue is attached to the areola.

This surgery can help women who need minor breast lift and perkiness.

iv. Crescent Breast Lift

This surgery is recommended for women who need minimal uplift as thy have mildly sagging breasts. Just one incision that runs halfway along the top outer edge of the areola is made. The scar is practically invisible because it is usually latent behind the naturally dark areola. A small amount of tissue in the shape of a crescent is removed from the areola which corrects the minor sagging and the nipple is repositioned. This intervention aims at nipple lift.

The choice of an expert cosmetic surgeon and the best breast clinic is of paramount importance as they determine the risk factors and the desired results of the intervention. An adroit surgeon will aim at maximum results with minimal or zilch risk.

Following are the factors you should consider which will help you choose the best cosmetic surgeon for breast lift:

• The education credentials, qualifications, certificates and accreditations all make a huge impact. The surgeon should be well-qualified and associated with the society of plastic surgeons.
• The number of breast surgeries performed and the number of years of experience as a cosmetic surgeon count.
• Surgeon’s reputation and word of mouth feedback from previous clients give an insight into the surgeon’s efficiency.
• The surgeon’s mannerism and patience should make you comfortable. You should be satisfied with all your queries.